India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma has hailed the maturity and determination displayed by Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan during India’s challenging second innings in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite a humiliating first-innings collapse, the pair’s 177-run partnership on the fourth day of the match provided a glimmer of hope and renewed India’s fight in the contest.
India’s second innings began with a daunting task after they were bowled out for just 46 in their first innings, the team’s lowest Test score at home. New Zealand capitalized on this collapse, taking a massive 356-run lead after posting 402 in their first innings. However, the efforts of Pant and Sarfaraz, who scored 99 and 150 respectively, helped India battle back into the game.
Speaking to the broadcaster after the game, Rohit praised both players for their maturity at the crease. “When those two are batting, everyone’s on the edge of the seat because they play the game with a lot of flair, but with a clear sense of responsibility,” Rohit said.
Pant, known for his aggressive style, showed a more composed approach in his innings, defending well, leaving some balls, and choosing the right moments to attack. Rohit commended Pant for his ability to strike a balance between caution and aggression. “It was a very mature innings from Rishabh. He defended good balls, left a few, and then backed himself to play those shots that have made him successful,” Rohit explained.
Similarly, Sarfaraz Khan, playing only his fourth Test match, impressed with his clarity of mind and solid technique. Rohit noted, “Sarfaraz, playing just his fourth Test match, showed a lot of maturity and was clear in his mind about what kind of shots he wanted to play. When you’re clear in your mind, you find yourself in a good seat.”
Despite India’s valiant effort, they eventually lost the match by eight wickets, but the partnership between Pant and Sarfaraz brought India back into the contest, reducing the massive deficit and offering a glimmer of hope. Rohit said the team’s approach was to bat through and see where the game could go. “When you’re 350 runs behind, you can’t think too much about it. All you’ve got to do is bat and see where the game takes you. That was the plan, and a couple of big partnerships got us back in the game,” he added.
While the team is trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, Rohit remained optimistic about India’s chances of a comeback. Reflecting on India’s resilience in recent series, Rohit pointed to the team’s fightback against England earlier this year, where India lost the first Test but went on to win the series 4-1. “There are guys who have been in this position before,” he said. “We lost the first Test against England earlier this year but came back strong. We know exactly what’s required from each one of us, and we’ll put our best game forward.”
The second Test of the series will take place in Pune on October 24, and India will look to level the series with a stronger performance.
